Recent Blog Posts
Freelance Worker Protection Act Creates New Rights for Workers, New Responsibilities for Employers
California has long been a trailblazer in labor rights, and its laws continue to evolve to better support workers. One of the more recent developments is the Freelance Worker Protection Act, which aims to create a more equitable environment for freelancers working in California. The new law was introduced by State Senator Scott Weiner… Read More »
New California Labor Law Addresses Leave When Employees or Their Family Members Are Victims of Crime
Last month we looked at some of the many new employment laws going into effect for 2025 (see New Year, New Labor and Employment Laws, posted January 12, 2025). One of the laws we talked about deserves a closer look. Read on as we take a deeper dive into AB 2499, which makes it… Read More »
New Year, New Labor and Employment Laws
While the California legislature wrapped up its work a couple of months ago, many of the laws passed in the recent 2023-2024 legislative session didn’t kick in until January 1, 2025. The Assembly passed many such laws related to the workplace, including a host of wage and hour laws addressing various types of leave… Read More »
PAGA Repeal Bill Withdrawn From November Ballot: What It Means for California Employees and Employers
California employment law took a rollercoaster ride in the recent election cycle when the California Employee Civil Action Law Initiative (#21-0027), a measure aimed at repealing the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), was introduced and then withdrawn from the November ballot. The initiative sought to fundamentally alter how labor law violations are addressed in… Read More »
Reproductive Loss Leave: Understanding California’s New Employee Benefit
In a significant move aimed at supporting workers experiencing pregnancy loss, California recently introduced a new category of leave known as Reproductive Loss Leave. Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 13, 2023, Senate Bill 848 creates this new benefit for California employees. The law, which took effect in January 2024, provides… Read More »
New Minimum Wage for Healthcare Workers Delayed Due to Concerns Over Impact on California Budget
The minimum wage bump for fast food workers that went into effect in California last April was not the only wage hike targeted to a specific group of employees. The state also passed a law to raise the minimum wage for healthcare workers. This law was slated to go into effect on June 1,… Read More »
The New Federal Overtime Rule and What California Employers and Employees Need to Know
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) new federal overtime rule, effective July 1, 2024, represents a significant change in wage and hour law, impacting both employers and employees nationwide, although California workplaces will be less impacted than in most of the rest of the country. This rule is designed to extend overtime protections to… Read More »
Workplace Violence Prevention Plans Due by July 1: Understanding California SB 553
In an effort to enhance workplace safety and ensure a secure working environment for all employees, California has enacted Senate Bill 553 (SB 553). This new legislation mandates that employers establish and implement comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Plans by July 1. Read on for an overview of SB 553, its requirements, and implications for… Read More »
Ninth Circuit Upholds AB 5 Carveouts: What It Means for California Workers and Employers
In a landmark decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld the carveouts to California’s AB 5, a law that has significantly impacted the classification of workers in the state. This ruling is crucial to understand for businesses, gig workers, and other professionals navigating the complexities of employment law in California. Here, we’ll… Read More »
California Raises Minimum Wage for Healthcare Workers
The biggest news in wage and hour laws this year was probably California’s increase in the minimum wage for fast food workers, which went into effect on April 1 this year. That change increased the minimum wage for fast food workers in the Golden State to $20 per hour, well above the current $16… Read More »
